Lightning ignites gas line, forces evacuation

Published: Wednesday, August 8, 2007 at 10:18 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, August 8, 2007 at 10:18 p.m.

MARION OAKS -- Slashing lightning from an evening thunderstorm scorched a street in the Marion Oaks community around 7:30 p.m., rupturing a gas line, sparking a fire and forcing the evaucation of 10 homes for over two hours.

The homes affected are in the 3700 block of Southeast 147 Lane Road, according to Heather Danenhower with Marion County Fire-Rescue.

Heritage Propoane Gas Co. responded to the call and clamped the line, shutting off gas to two homes. The lines are expected to be restored in the morning.

Flames from the ruptured line rose up to 2 feet above the ground level and 20 feet southeast of the initial strike, Danenhower said.

Azeem Ghanie, 14, said neighbors came to his home and told him that there was fire in his back yard. He said when they tried to put water on it, it kept flaring up and getting bigger and bigger until Marion County Fire-Rescue came and put it out.

<p>MARION OAKS -- Slashing lightning from an evening thunderstorm scorched a street in the Marion Oaks community around 7:30 p.m., rupturing a gas line, sparking a fire and forcing the evaucation of 10 homes for over two hours. </p><p> The homes affected are in the 3700 block of Southeast 147 Lane Road, according to Heather Danenhower with Marion County Fire-Rescue. </p><p> Heritage Propoane Gas Co. responded to the call and clamped the line, shutting off gas to two homes. The lines are expected to be restored in the morning.</p><p> Flames from the ruptured line rose up to 2 feet above the ground level and 20 feet southeast of the initial strike, Danenhower said. </p><p> Azeem Ghanie, 14, said neighbors came to his home and told him that there was fire in his back yard. He said when they tried to put water on it, it kept flaring up and getting bigger and bigger until Marion County Fire-Rescue came and put it out.</p>